Kansas basketball vs UNC: 3 things to think about, plus a prediction

LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball will face off against UNC on Friday inside Allen Fieldhouse, with tip-off set for 6 p.m. CT.

The teams look much different than when they last met, in the 2022 national championship game. The Jayhawks won that matchup, earning head coach Bill Self his second national title with the program. But both head coaches remain the same, with Hubert Davis still leading the way for North Carolina.

Here are a few things to think about, plus a prediction, ahead of the game between No. 1 Kansas (1-0) and No. 10 UNC (1-0):

Reviewing Kansas basketball’s season-opening win vs Howard, as UNC matchup approaches

Bill Self could tie Phog Allen as Kansas’ all-time winningest coach

Should Kansas win, Self will tie Phog Allen for all-time wins in program history. Self is at 589, and Allen is at 590. But while Self acknowledged Thursday what could potentially happen, and mentioned he’s sure it’s significant to some, he also used most of his time discussing the topic to praise Allen.

Self described Allen as the most innovative and best to coach the Jayhawks and added that, no matter what happens moving forward, his opinion won’t change. So many of the advantages Self has enjoyed, from his perspective, come from what Allen built.

Self also highlighted the roles of the players and coaches on his teams over the more than two decades he’s led Kansas, deferring praise as he noted the number of games he’s won has come from the sheer time he’s coached the Jayhawks.

Bill Self previews UNC

Self doesn’t think either team has shown much yet this season, and mentioned Kansas has looked back to some games UNC played late last season during the scouting process. He praised North Carolina’s personnel, and talent on the perimeter. He highlighted UNC’s top three guards, who he said are quick and pressure opponents by getting downhill, as part of a loaded backcourt.

Based on Self’s comments, odds are it wouldn’t surprise him at season’s end if North Carolina…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kansas-basketball-vs-unc-3-090240670.html

Author : The Topeka Capital-Journal

Publish date : 2024-11-08 09:02:00

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